Babble Best Holiday eCards of 2011

If your November came and went without any thought of holiday photo sessions or card ordering, there's no need to panic. E-cards may have originally been looked at as a cheesy, last-minute stand-in for greeting cards, but today's versions are more entertaining, convenient, and sometimes more thoughtful than their paper alternatives. (And the fact that you can wait until the very last minute certainly is a plus.) Although nothing can replace the feel of cardstock or the excitement of getting an envelope in the mail, many of these e-cards would blow away even the most dedicated paper enthusiast. So whether you're looking for photo cards, video greetings, or even holiday party e-vites, we rounded up our favorite e-card options for the holidays and beyond. Did we miss one you love sending out? Nominate it here! - Michelle Horton

We thought we knew all of the best sites to find e-cards and e-vites – until we found Cocodot, that is. With a vast selection of e-cards that don’t scream I waited until the last minute!, Cocodot should be your very first stop when hunting for any kind of electronic greeting (especially if you don’t want to pay for it). The site offers options for Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s, as well as non-denominational greetings.

All of their impressively designed e-cards and e-vites (crafted by designers like DKNY and Amy Atlas) are completely free if sending to less than 1,000 recipients, and compared to other e-card sites, we preferred Cocodot’s free customizing options and their final e-mail presentation. To top it off, you can order professionally printed versions ($1.39 – $2.59 each) for electronically illiterate family members.

Get it from Cocodot, Free up to 1,000 recipients